Boat question, fiberglass or aluminum?

[pipeguy]

Planning on getting boat this fall, just came back from holiday from US, a friend of mine there told me that are lots of affordable boats down there. My question is this, there is a lot of center console boats for a reasonable buck, and a lot of selection. I am looking to get 16'-18' unit aluminum windshield boat, but now my curiosity is raised, what are your opinions, This boat would probably be used 90% of time in Simcoe, pros and cons for both, thanks in advance, this is great forum, waiting to hear your replies.

[dano1]

Aluminum all the way, Iève had both over the years, I now have a 19.5 foot polar craft with full windshield. This has been my best boat by far, easy to tow with truck, tons of storage

[lundman]

X2 on the aluminum.
All in all its just a personal choice.
Good Luck.

[Mike D]

My experience with buying used boats is Aluminum boats have less wood components that rot. However I like the handling and "sturdiness" of a good FG boat. I am on my 6th or 7th boat and it is Aluminum.

[Sea Bass]

Fiberglass is the way to go! The ride is Night and day. A fiberglass boat you have more control in the wind. It will get tossed around a lot less then an aluminum boat. I consider Lake simcoe a great lake. Now don't be wrapped around as to what will survive hitting a rock at speed.....They boat will get wreck. With my experience I've ridden in a lot of fiberglass and aluminum rigs...once you go Fiberglass you never go back. As for wood in fiberglass boats...Mine is from 1989 fiberglass and doesn't have a single piece of wood...Wait my glove box lid is and it's great shape

Aluminum Pro's: Light, Cheaper on gas, Easy maintenance, You can shore your aluminum boat. Can go shallower then the same hull in a fiberglass. Easy to tow. Need less Hp to move since it's lighter.
Aluminum con's: Noisy if you fish shallow, They are known to leak over time. Not build out of a mold and aluminum has to be bent and welded a certain way to create certain shape. Hull maintenance.

Fiberglass Pro's: Lot more stable, Quieter, Easier to fix if leak and cheaper, Fiberglass boats tend to require less hull maintenance, no rivets, welds or corrosion to worry about. Fiberglass boats can be made out of a mold so it can have the best areodynamics the manifacture wants to create.
Con's: Waxing, Heavier. Heavier to tow, Can't shore it if you don't have keel guard.

In the end it depends what kind of fishing your going to do. Lots of guys running aluminum and loving it. They are cheaper to buy and will last a great deal of time.

[bentauger]

This has been discussed before, maybe do a site search.

My only concern with a first time boat buyer, looking to buy a used fiberglass boat is to watch for Transom rot and Fibreglass Rot/Decay.

It is not always easily detected, especially if you are new to the boating game.

That being said, aluminum boats, should be check for welds, repairs, caulking, loose rivets, repainted areas.... testing a boat in the water is not always available.

Dont be afraid to ask if you can hose test it...fill the boat with 3-4" of water and have a good look under it while it is on the trailer.

Do your homework and check each and every boat out very carefully before you make your purchase.

Take a knowledgeable friend if you are not comfortable on your own.

Good Luck.

BA

[smiath]

For me this is a loaded question..I am on my 4th boat and only one of them was glass, but now I think I'm going to make the switch back! Buying a glass boat is much more difficult just because there are so many more things that can go wrong on them..Aluminums are much easier to maintain and repair (soft Floors and such) but definitely not cheaper to purchase!! Myself I have a 17ft aluminum and I only need to tow my boat a few blocks. If I knew what I know now I would not buy another aluminum boat for Georgian bay unless it was a 22ft or bigger Stanley..I have a buddy that pretty much only downrigs simcoe and I'm trying to talk him out of a aluminum but everyone has their own preference..if a great riding boat in most whether is what matters most to you get glass..if that isn't super important get aluminum hands down! Again just my opinion..

[WishN4Fishin]

Hey Pipeguy, Here are a few things you should consider before buying;
- Is this your first boat?
- how much do you want to spend?
- what size engine do you want?
- Is this boat mostly for fishing/pleasure riding?
- How many times a year will you be using your boat?
- Will it be stored at Home/Marina
- How much do you want to spend on gas every outing?
- Will you be towing a long distance?
- What type of fishing will you be doing?

Both fiberglass and aluminum are great rides Depends on the Cash you fork out!!!!. One thing i will tell you is make sure you get enough horsepower especially for aluminum boats. Too many aluminum boats are being sold with less than average power for their class weight. You will be pulling out your hair!trust me! My buddy found out the hard way with his tracker 115 hp that does not even do 38 mph for a boat that is just under 18 feet.. Do not rush into things. Compare 16-18 foot fiberglass vs 16-18 foot Aluminum boats. I have had three Aluminum boats the biggest one being a Sylvan with a 175 Johnson which handled beautifully in rough and clam water. But you cannot compare a nice fully powered Glass boat with some good horsepower backing it up.

Good luck

Ken

[La teezi]

Little off topic, but does anyone know a really good Mercury inboard/outboard mechanic? Someone who specializes in those motors. Needs tuning. Thanks

[Bigfishlill]

I've had both a 18 foot fibreglass bass boat and have had 2 aluminum bass boats my vote is aluminum. I would recommend getting an allweld hull, stay away from riviot hulls they will develop small leeks over time depending on how much of a beating the hull takes. Fibreglass boats are great too and very strong can take a beating. Usually you can put a bigger motor on the back of them but the all welds aluminums are pretty good now they are able to put bigger outboards on them. I do a fair amount of towing so alminum saves the gas, wear and tear and can get away with less hp to produce same speeds as fibreglass counterpart. That will help you save a bit of money too but as noted before make sure the hp is adequate for yor needs because the aluminum boats usually come under powered when you get the basic package from the dealer. What ever you choose you won't be disappointed as long as you know what will best suit your needs out on the water and make sure you do your research on the seller! Cheers!

[Mike D]

My '94 Starcraft has a riveted hull and does not leak a drop. I am also not shy on pounding it in the waves either.... i live on Simcoe, so if you don't boat in waves; you don't boat!